Manchester United nearing Mauricio Pochettino deal

Manchester United are nearing an agreement for Mauricio Pochettino to become their head coach if Michael Carrick is sacked, following recommendations from Jason Wilcox, the director of football, and Omar Berrada, the chief executive, to Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Pochettino, who is currently the head coach of the US men’s national team, is interested in the United position should Carrick be removed, which is expected.

Wilcox and Berrada are meeting with Ratcliffe in Monaco, where the minority owner will be advised that Carrick should be dismissed. Ratcliffe has control over United’s sporting policy, and players within the squad increasingly believe that Carrick is going to be sacked, anticipating Pochettino’s appointment as his successor.

Pochettino has experience managing in the Premier League with Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea. A United board meeting is planned for Wednesday, during which at least one of the six Glazer siblings—who own the club—will be present. Both the executive team and Carrick's representatives expect that the sacking will be approved at this meeting, leading to an announcement thereafter.

Pochettino has a contract that includes a release clause of approximately $10 million (£7.5 million), although compensation may be higher if he elects to bring his own staff, including his trusted assistant, Jesús Pérez, who has been with him for 16 years.

Pochettino is scheduled to manage the US in two upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti on Saturday and Wednesday in Miami and Cincinnati, marking their first competitive matches of the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle.

Carrick has faced criticism due to a poor start to the season, leaving United in 18th place and in the relegation zone. The 45-year-old has only secured one league victory, against Ipswich in August, and three wins across all competitions. United were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton in September.